About

Welcome to Darkan Sheepfest.

Act Belong Commit Darkan Sheepfest will be held on Saturday 10th February 2024.  The focus of the show in 2024 will be “The next generation” – reaching out to all young Australians to ignite their passion for sheep and wool. We will be encouraging teenagers to wear wool, continuing the conversation about this fabulous natural fibre that is at the forefront of our local agricultural industry.  

In the past six years, the community of Darkan and visitors to the town have enjoyed a resurgence of the agricultural show after a 60-year absence. The idea of Sheepfest was to pay tribute to the sheep and wool industry that the town has been built on.   

The show continues to be a back-to-basics show.  There are no fancy rides or show bags, and no expensive admission costs; just a gold coin donation and a fun day out for the whole family to enjoy! 

Act Belong Commit Darkan Sheepfest highlights what communities can do when they work together, volunteer, and shine a light on what makes living in the country so great. 

photo of little girl with face paint wearing a shearer's singlet and a cowboy hat
Kids have fun at Darkan Sheepfest!

Darkan lies in the heart of the Shire of West Arthur and has a long and proud history of producing fine wool, tasty meat and excellent breeding stock.

Darkan Sheepfest is an event that showcases our community: to compete for shearing glory, to present fine sheep flocks for judging, to share fun and laughter with children, to explore fashion, food and markets.

But most of all it provides an opportunity for city and country people to come together and enjoy a good old country show.

Best of all it is only a gold coin donation on entry!

photo of two young ladies on the catwalk at Darkan Sheepfest 2023, with an AWI banner in the background
Fashion Parades at Darkan Sheepfest feature locals as models
photo of a man dressed in white chopping the log he is standing on with an axe, with another man holding a microphone and commentating, at Darkan Sheepfest 2023.
Log Chopping featured at the 2023 Darkan Sheepfest
photo of a young shearer wearing reed shearing singlet preparing a sheep for shearing at the Darkan Sheepfest 2023. There is a timer and there are other shearers and competition judges on the board as well.
All levels of shearing, from Novices to Seniors are included in the Darkan Sheepfest Shearing Competition